With the looming threat of a TikTok ban in the US, many users are turning to a Chinese app called RedNote, which has quickly become the most downloaded app in the US App Store. These users, who refer to themselves as "TikTok refugees," are flocking to RedNote for a similar experience to TikTok.
RedNote, which is popular in China and other Mandarin-speaking countries, combines features of TikTok and Instagram. It mainly attracts young women who share lifestyle tips ranging from fashion to dating. The app now boasts 300 million monthly users.
The US Supreme Court is set to decide by January 19 whether TikTok will have to sell its US operations or face a ban, sparking fears of the app's disappearance. However, TikTok's management has insisted that it won’t sell and believes a ban would violate free speech rights for its 170 million US users.
Meanwhile, RedNote has embraced its new users, with thousands of posts showing "TikTok refugees" learning how to use the app, often with the help of simple Chinese phrases. Some users are also worried about RedNote's censorship of political content and the app’s links to the Chinese government, especially after Taiwan banned public officials from using it.
Despite concerns, many US users say they are moving to RedNote to avoid the ban and explore new opportunities. "I don't have anything that China doesn't, and if they want my data that bad they can have it," said Sarah Fotheringham, a school worker from Utah.
Although some users admit feeling uncertain about accepting RedNote’s terms, others are excited by the app's community and features. "RedNote opened my world up to China and its people," Fotheringham shared, and some even find themselves spending more time on RedNote than TikTok.
While TikTok’s future remains uncertain, it is clear that RedNote has gained strong support from a growing number of users seeking alternatives.
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